subject: Pinballs Go From The Milk Bar To The Home And Back Again [print this page] For decades, kids (and adults) have been hard-pressed to be able to resist the lure of the lights and sounds coming out of arcades. Since the 1930's, millions and millions of people all over the world have loved playing arcade games, including pinball. Pinball was one of the most popular table games up until the 1970's, when arcade game manufacturers began producing the world's first video arcade games.
Video Kills The Pinball Star?
With the introduction of video games, it seemed that in many arcades, the pinball machines that had been so loved for so many years were either pushed to the back of the room, or removed altogether, with the exception of maybe one or two. This was really seen in smaller arcades that didn't have a lot of room, and needed the space for the new, popular video games. By the time the 1980's came around, there were very few pinball machines to be seen, and video games dominated the arcades.
Home Gaming Kills The Video Arcade Game?
Then came the introduction of home gaming systems. Initially, this didn't pose much of a threat to many arcade owners and game manufacturers, because most of the home systems were very basic, and didn't have the same feel as playing the arcade versions of the games. I don't know about you, but when I was a kid, myself, and all of my friends who had the old Atari or Coleco gaming systems also had them hooked up to small, black and white televisions. There was no way at that time that parents were going to let kids use the family television for video games. So, because all many kids had were small, black and white screens, they still loved playing the colour versions with the better screens and sound.
But, over time, home gaming systems began to get better and better, with more realistic graphics and great sound. What was this going to do to the arcade industry?
For a while, the industry foundered. Then, in 1991, Midway cashed in on the huge popularity of the Addams Family movie and created the Addams Family pinball machine. Sales for this game shot through the roof, and more than 20,000 units were sold. Pinball hadn't died after all. Then, other games came on the market that were also inspired by popular movies, and arcades once again were filling up with pinball machines.
But, pinball still hadn't returned to its former glory. One by one, pinball machine manufacturers began shutting down their operations, until there was only one manufacturer of coin-operated pinball machines left in the world i.e. Stern.
Since 1999, they have released such memorable pinball machines as Shrek, 24, CSI, Lord of the Rings, 24, Batman, Spiderman, The Sopranos and soon even Ironman.
